My Quan village, Ha Vinh commune (Ha Trung district) is a vibrant cultural area with diverse harvest festivals, village festivals, and a variety of folk games and performances. In particular, visiting the Phu Suoi festival reveals a cultural tapestry woven together by the entire community.
The female ceremonial team of My Quan village performs the rituals. Photo: Contributor.
According to the book "Historical and Cultural Relics of Phu Suoi" (2019), provided by the local community and recounted by elderly people: The Phu Suoi relic site is located at the southern foot of the Tam Diep mountain range in My Quan village. My Quan village, situated near the Than Phu estuary on the Hoat River leading into the Thanh Hoan delta, is a famous historical site in Vietnam known for its resistance against foreign invaders, bearing the indelible mark of the Dinh, Ly, Tran, Ho, Le, and Nguyen dynasties. Here, since time immemorial, there has been a shrine dedicated to the First Heavenly Mother, Lieu Hanh. Because it was built beside a crystal-clear underground stream flowing from the heart of the rocky mountain, it is called Phu Suoi (also known as Phu Suoi My Quan). From within the shrine, one can see the lush green canopy of ancient trees, surrounded by vast rice fields, and in the distance, the gentle Hoat River, diligently contributing its fertile silt to produce bountiful harvests.
Built in the 17th century, but according to the villagers, based on its arched architecture, Suoi Palace underwent a major renovation during the Nguyen Dynasty. After a long period of being razed to the ground, in 2019, thanks to social contributions, the palace was restored on its original foundation.
Previously, Suoi Temple possessed dozens of royal decrees from various emperors, but due to theft, only one decree remains today: the decree dated July 25th, the 9th year of the Khai Dinh reign (1924), which reads: “Decree to My Quan village, Dong Ban commune, Ha Trung district, Thanh Hoa province. This locality has historically served the worship of Princess Lieu Hanh, along with Princesses Quynh Hoa and Que Hoa. Having witnessed the divine power of the deity, the Emperor, celebrating his 40th birthday, bestows this precious decree, with profound and extensive ceremony, elevating the deity to a higher rank and bestowing upon her the honorary title: Che Thang Hoa Dieu Dai Vuong, granting her a golden Bodhisattva seated upon a lotus throne. The locality is permitted to worship the deity diligently to continue protecting our people.”
Because of its sacredness, Suoi Temple is always bustling with visitors from all over. Especially during the festival, which takes place from the 17th to the 19th of March in the lunar calendar, Suoi Temple attracts a large number of people and tourists from near and far who flock to the temple to celebrate, worship the Mother Goddess, and enjoy the scenery.
Mr. Nguyen Hong San, a cultural official of Ha Vinh commune (Ha Trung district), said: "The festival brings together almost all the people in My Quan village. Besides the procession of 12 people carrying the royal palanquin from the village temple to the shrine, most of the village elders, the ceremonial committee, various organizations, associations, the people, and tourists all follow the procession. In addition, a team of 9 to 12 female officiants, who are well-trained, perform the ritual offerings. After the female officiants' ceremony, there is a procession of palanquins and hammocks carried by 8 young women, along with the royal palanquin, from Suoi shrine to Cao Son and Cao Cac temples for the ceremony, and then back to the shrine. Interspersed with the procession of the divine palanquin, the female officiants' ceremony, and various entertainments such as wrestling, dragon dance, lion dance, chess, and swinging take place continuously; at night, traditional opera performances create a lively and joyful atmosphere, turning the ceremony into a village festival that attracts thousands of pilgrims."
According to statistics, there are currently 48 places of worship dedicated to Mother Lieu Hanh in Thanh Hoa province. Among them, Suoi Temple and the Suoi Temple festival are always popular destinations for pilgrims on their spiritual journey. Besides its picturesque setting, visitors to Suoi Temple can also watch spirit medium rituals, enjoy the singing of shamans, and experience the journeys of deities such as the Holy Mother, Quan Hoang, Quan Lon, and Co Chin... depicting the adventures of these celestial beings traveling throughout the country and the beautiful scenery of Thanh Hoa province.
Most recently, at the end of 2024, the People's Committee of Ha Vinh commune held the inauguration ceremony for the historical site and scenic spot of Suoi Palace. "Since 1996, Suoi Palace has been classified as a provincial-level historical site, but only today have we truly seen such a beautiful and dignified structure. This will certainly be a key tourist destination and an attractive tour in Thanh Hoa province," said Mr. Mai Hong Cuong, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ha Vinh commune.
Le Nhu Cuong (Contributor)
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/ve-voi-le-hoi-phu-suoi-242452.htm
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